Illuminated gaming tile and charging system

ABSTRACT

An electronic gaming tile includes a lighting system so that the tile emits light which can be seen during game play in low-light conditions. The tile may be for example, a domino or other gaming tile type (for example, mahjong). The tile includes a shell with a removable rear cover, which define a shell interior cavity that houses a tile power source, a tile controller board, and a light source. Some aspects include a storage case configured with a charging system that charges the tile power source of each tile to provide power to the light source when the tile is to be used for game play.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/286,228 that was filed on Feb. 26, 2019, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to game playing pieces or apparatuses and, more particularly, to an illuminated gaming tile with a charging system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tile-based games have been in existence for centuries and remain popular to this day. However, advances in tile-based gaming have largely been stagnant. One of the major problems with tile-based games is that they are sometimes played late at night or in dark rooms. Playing in low-light conditions make it difficult to read the indicia on the tiles. This impedes play and leads to misplayed tiles, which may not be noticed until too late in the game.

Accordingly, there is a need for an illuminated tile that enhances visibility of the indicia and reduces the difficulty of reading the indicia in low-light situations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an illuminated, electronic gaming tile and to a charging system for charging the electronic gaming tile.

In a first embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic gaming tile comprises a shell; a plurality of light pipes disposed within view of an outer surface of the shell, wherein the plurality of light pipes are arranged in a pattern recognizable by a user during game play; a tile power source housed in the shell; and a light source housed in the shell and connected to the tile power source, wherein the plurality of light pipes are illuminated by the light source during game play.

In a second embodiment, an electronic gaming tile comprises a shell; a light source; a tile power source housed in the shell, wherein the tile power source is connected to the plurality of lights; and a plurality of transparent or translucent windows in an outer surface of the shell, wherein the light source is disposed to illuminate the plurality of windows and wherein the plurality of windows are arranged to represent different game tile values or symbols recognizable by a user during a game, when illuminated by the light source.

In a third embodiment, an electronic gaming tile system comprises a plurality of electronic gaming tiles (such as disclosed in the first or second embodiment) and a portable charging system for the electronic gaming tiles. The portable charging system includes a case; a plurality of compartments housed in the case that are configured to receive respective electronic gaming tiles; a charging power source; and an electrical bus system coupled to the charging power source and to the plurality of compartments, wherein the electronic gaming tiles are recharged through the electrical bus system when received in respective compartments.

In an aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles are lighted by light pipes.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles are lighted by one or more light sources that illuminates one or more windows within the tiles.

In a further aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles are charged by a portable charging system.

In another aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles may be programmed to display a user-selectable color.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles may include a magnetic component and the charging system may include a magnetic component to aid in alignment of the electronic gaming tiles for improved charging.

In a further aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles are removably held in the correct position for charging by use of corresponding magnetic components in the tile and in the charging case.

In an additional aspect of the invention, when the tiles are disposed within the charging case, the tiles display one of multiple specified colors of light to indicate the battery status of the tile.

In a further aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles are charged using pogo pins.

In another aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles are charged using corresponding USB-type connectors.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the electronic gaming tiles are charged using electrical contacts.

In a further aspect of the invention, the gaming tile includes two communication assemblies, each of which is disposed on an opposing end of a gaming tile to allow two tiles, when placed with ends adjacent to one other, to make a determination as to the indicia displayed on the adjacent end of the neighboring tile.

In another aspect of the invention, the gaming tile includes a light sensor to sense when the tile is placed face down on a surface, thus allowing extinguishing of the light source to save energy when the lighted feature is not needed.

The object of the invention is to provide an illuminated gaming tile and a gaming tile with a charging system that gives an improved performance over the above described prior art systems and methods.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming tile of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of a first aspect of the gaming tile charging system of an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the charging system of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second aspect of the gaming tile charging system according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 6 is a perspective bottom view of the intermediate frame of the charging system of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 7 is an exploded front view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 8 is an exploded back view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the controller board of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 10 is a view into the shell interior cavity from the back (with the back cover removed) according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 13 is a back view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the gaming tile according to an embodiment of the subject technology.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures in general, embodiments of the disclosed subject technology provide electronic gaming tiles and a charging system that recharges the gaming tiles. Exemplary embodiments include gaming tiles which may include elements that are illuminated to represent gaming tile values or symbols as recognized by users during game play of different games. As will be appreciated, aspects of the gaming tiles provide an advantage over traditional tiles because the electronic gaming tiles disclosed can be played in low-light conditions such as in social gatherings outdoors at night. As may be appreciated, aspects of the disclosed gaming tiles generate both a practical result and an aesthetic effect, which mutually contribute to tile-based game play that has not yet been seen.

Typical gaming tiles are static. The indicia placed onto a traditional tile is usually black paint. To liven up some other tiles, colored paint is used for the indicia. However, in low-light conditions, regardless of the paint being brightly colored, the tiles may be difficult to see with the absence of light.

Gaming tiles of the present disclosure include an internal lighting source that projects light from one or more front light apertures of each tile so that the tile itself and/or the indicia is clearly visible in low-light settings. The description and embodiments following describe the gaming tile of the disclosure as a domino under an exemplary embodiment. However, the domino is one example of an embodiment, and it will be understood that other gaming tiles for various games may be contemplated under the subject disclosure. For example, mahjong, Rummikub®, Scrabble®, other domino variations, and other tile-based games may be improved under the subject technology and provide benefits similar to those described by the embodiment of the exemplary domino tile that follows.

Referring to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, an electronic gaming tile 10 in the form of a domino is shown according to a first exemplary embodiment. The tile 10 includes a tile exterior that receives interior components, such as a tile power source 20, a controller board 18, light source 19, and other structural elements and elements associated with the lighting feature.

The exterior of the tile 10 is formed by a shell 12 and a detachable and reattachable rear cover 22. The shell 12 is formed with a front, top, bottom, and two sides, but it but has an open back. The rear cover 22 is sized and shaped to conform to the open back, and, when attached, forms the back of the shell 12. The shell 12 and the rear cover 22, when joined, define a shell interior cavity to receive and house the interior components of the tile 10. Because the rear cover 22 is removable, it provides access to the interior components housed within the shell 12. The rear cover 22 is preferably mechanically attachable to the shell 12. Preferably the rear cover 22 is configured with holes near the edge of the rear cover 22 to receive screws 24 that are threaded through the rear cover 22 and into the back of the wall of the shell 12.

The shell 12 includes one or more front light apertures 16 defined by light aperture edges 26. The shell 12 also includes bottom apertures 15 defined by bottom aperture edges ii that are disposed on the shell bottom and are involved in interacting with the charging case 30 and in charging the tile power source 20.

The one or more light apertures 16 are arranged in positions to represent different game tile values or symbols recognizable by a user during a game. The light apertures 16 are arranged in positions that may represent gaming indicia (for example, domino pips, mahjong symbols, etc.). The light apertures 16 may be round (as illustrated) or may be shaped appropriately to represent the icon, symbol, motif, or other game-specific indicator of the particular game that is to be played.

The shell 12 may also be configured with grooves, indentations, projections, protuberances, or other non-planar features 13, as may be desirable to indicate aspects of the game, to separate portions of the front surface, to focus the player's attention, to clarify meaning, to add information to the tile, or to otherwise enhance the game. For example, in the aspect of the tile 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, there are two sets of light apertures 16, with one set on one region of the shell front surface and the other set on an opposing region of the shell front surface. The two regions are separated by a non-planar feature 13, shown as a channel or groove, which, in this example, is positioned proximate a center of the shell front surface and extends side-to-side to define a visual line separating the two regions of the shell front surface. In this aspect, the non-planar feature 13 is the border between two halves of the gaming tile indicia as is commonly used in domino-type tiles. In other aspects, the non-planar feature 13 may be used to otherwise enhance the game.

In the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the tile 10 includes a plurality of transparent or translucent windows 29 that are disposed within the front light apertures 16 to be viewable from the shell front surface. In one aspect, the windows 29 may be a portion of a larger element, such as the translucent diffuser 17 (FIG. 7). In this aspect, each tile 10 may include one or more diffusers 17. The diffuser 17 may include a flat, wide back portion and a projecting front portion 17 a, with the projecting front portion 17 a sized, shaped, and configured to fit within the front light apertures 16 and to form the window 29. The design of the front light apertures 16 shown to the left side of the tile 10 in FIG. 7 are used to designate the value of zero, but other designs to designate the zero value are within the scope of the invention.

In another aspect, the windows 29 may be individual elements. In this aspect, each of the windows 29 are sized and shaped to fit within the apertures 16. In the aspect of FIGS. 1-2, light pipes have a top, exposed portion forming the windows 29 and a hollow stem that projects down into the interior of shell 12. The light pipes are illuminated by a light source 19. In one aspect, the light source 19 is a single light flooding the interior of the shell which can illuminate all the windows 29 concurrently. In other aspects, the light source 19 comprises multiple light-transmitting elements.

In the second embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, the light source 19 comprises a plurality of separate elements, such as shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the light source 19 may be, for example, LED chips on a controller board 18. In an exemplary aspect, the light pipe stems of respective windows 29 may be aligned over respective LED chips. The controller board 18 may include programming elements which may selectively illuminate light sources 19 and windows 29 so that an individual tile 10 may be programmed and re-programmed to illuminate different gaming values or symbols. As will be appreciated, programming aspects of the tile 10 may generate new games. Traditional tiles are incapable of changing; however, the selective illumination of windows 29 in the current invention allows one tile 10 to show more than one value or symbol.

The tile 10 also includes a tile power source 20 disposed within the interior cavity formed by the shell 12 and rear cover 22. The tile power source 20 (for example a battery or a capacitor) is connected to and supplies power to the light source(s) 19. In some embodiments, the tile power source 20 may be rechargeable through one or more conductive charging nodes 14. The charging nodes 14 may be connected at one end to the tile power source 20 and may access an exterior of the shell 12 through bottom apertures 15 defined by bottom aperture edges ii by their opposite end. The bottom end of the charging nodes 14 may be disposed to electrically connect to a charging power source (directly or through some intermediary conductive element). For the sake of illustration, anodes/cathodes on the tile power sources 20 are omitted from view but are understood to be present for connection to the charging nodes 14.

In a further aspect illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, the tile 10 includes a magnetic component 23 and the charging case 30 includes a corresponding magnetic component 39, as seen on the bottom of the intermediary frame of FIG. 6. In one aspect, both magnetic components 23 and 39 are magnets (oppositely oriented). In another aspect, one magnetic component 23 or 39 is a ferromagnetic metal and the corresponding magnetic component 23 or 39 is a magnet. When the tile 10 is being placed into an individual compartment 31, the tile magnetic component 23 is magnetically attracted to the corresponding case magnetic component 39, which encourages alignment and proper seating of the tile 10 to improve charging contact.

In one aspect of the invention, there are three bottom apertures 15 defined by three bottom aperture edges 11. Two of the bottom apertures 15 receive charging nodes 14 and the third bottom aperture 15 may house the tile magnetic component 23. In the aspect shown in FIGS. 7-8, the magnetic component 23 has a smaller external portion to fit within the third bottom aperture 15 and an internal flange dimensioned to be larger than the exterior of the smaller external portion and dimensioned to be larger than the third bottom aperture 15 that functions to retain the magnetic component 23 within the shell 12.

In an additional aspect illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, 12, a light sensor 25 is positioned to sense the light level of the front of the tile 10. Though shown within the non-planar groove 13, the light sensor 25 may be disposed anywhere on the front surface. When the light sensor 25 senses that the tile has been placed facedown on a surface, the controller board 18 stops supplying power to the light source 19, thus reducing energy wastage.

In another aspect, the controller board 18 includes a microchip/controller that will retain data in flash memory. For example, in the illustrated domino example, the firmware of the microchip/controller is flashed by the electrical bus system 35 of the charging case 30 with the domino number and the specified color or colors assigned by a color programming assembly 38 of the charging/storage case 30. The microchip and/or controller can also record the status of the tile power source 20 and is involved in the notification of the power status as described below. Preferably the microchip/controller will also regulate the power so that each window exhibits the same brightness, whether a given tile has one window or twelve windows.

The controller board 18 is structurally configured to fit within the shell interior cavity, which may involve various cutouts 28 (FIG. 9) that may conform the physical board to the available space.

In one aspect of the invention, the connection, intersection, or general coupling of two tiles may trigger a condition which causes the indicia on the tiles 10 to change. In this aspect, the light source comprises at least one multi-color LED chip configured to produce a plurality of LED colors, and the tile 10 further comprises communication modules 42 disposed on opposing ends of the tile to enable adjacent tiles to communicate. The communication module 42 may be corresponding electrical contacts or any low power communication system as is known in the art, such as NFC or low power Bluetooth module. The communication module 42 is connected to the microchip/controller of the controller board 18. It communicates data related to the neighboring tile's value to the microchip/controller. This communication enhances game play. In an example, when two tiles are played adjacent to each other with identical indicia, the communication modules 42 of the adjacent tiles communicate to their respective microchip/controllers, and the respective microchip/controllers cause the light sources 19 of the respective tiles 10 to light the same color to indicate a correct play.

In a further aspect of the invention, the gaming tile 10 includes a light leak-prevention seal 21 (FIGS. 7-8). The light leak-prevention seal 21 is disposed forward of said rear cover 22 to minimize leaking of light at a junction of the rear cover 22 and the shell open back edges. The light leak-prevention seal 21 may be an O-ring type seal or may simply be a dark sheet of material, as shown. The dark sheet of material may be paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, or the like. As illustrated, the light leak-prevention seal 21 may be configured with holes aligned with the rear cover holes to allow the screws 24 receive screws 24 to be threaded through the rear cover holes, through the seal holes, and into the back of the wall of the shell 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, a portable storage case 30 is shown according to exemplary embodiments. The storage case 30 may be configured as a charging device so that the tiles 10 may be re-charged while in storage or when not in use during game play. While not shown, it will be understood that the charging case 30 may have its own charger power source (either an internal battery or a plug that connects to a wall outlet for power). In one aspect the charger power source connects at power connector 41 (FIG. 5), which may be a barrel connector, USB connector, or other connector as is known in the art.

In one aspect, the storage case 30 includes an upper frame 32, an intermediate frame 34, and a base 36. The base 36 includes sides and a bottom to define a base cavity to receive components related to charging and to accommodate the intermediate frame 34 into which tiles 10 can be inserted. The intermediate frame 34 includes a plurality of compartments 31 (preferably arranged in a grid format with divider walls 33) with each compartment sized, shaped, and configured to receive a tile 10. The compartments 31 have four sides, a bottom, and an open top. The compartments 31 may have contacts 37 to transfer power or power and data to the received tile 10, which are preferably disposed on the compartment bottom.

The upper frame 32 serves as a lid or partial lid that can be removed to allow the tiles 10 access to compartments 31. The upper frame 32 may be hinged or may be slidingly engaged with the base 36 to cover or partially cover the tiles 10 when inserted into the compartments 31. In one aspect shown in FIG. 4, the upper frame 32 includes only four sides with bands or bars 32 a running from side to side with which the tiles 10 may be held down in place when the upper frame 32 is placed on top of the tiles 10 disposed within the intermediate frame 34. The remainder of the upper frame 32 in this aspect is open. In another aspect shown in FIG. 5, the upper frame 32 includes four sides and a full top lid, wherein the top lid has interior bars 32 a running from side to side, which are positioned to retain the tiles 10 in the compartments 31 of the intermediary frame 34. In a further aspect, the upper frame 32 has no bars 32 a.

The base 36 includes structural components to enable the upper frame 32 to be attached and to enable the intermediary frame 34 to be received. Additionally, the base 36 houses an electrical bus system 35. In one aspect of the invention, the electrical bus system 35 is a PC board with a plurality of contacts 37 to transfer power or power and data to the tile 10. In an aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the power/data contacts 37 comprise pogo pins with one set of pogo pins allotted to each of the respective compartments 31. The pogo pins may be positioned in alignment with the charging nodes 14 of respective tiles 10 when the tiles 10 are stored in a compartment 31.

In another aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 5, the base contacts 37 comprise a USB connector that is functional to provide transfer of power or of power and data. The USB connector is preferably a smaller type of USB connector, such as micro-USB, mini-USB, or C-type USB connector. In this aspect, the charging node 14 of the tile 10 comprises a corresponding USB connector. When a USB connector is used, only one shell bottom aperture is required.

In an aspect, when the tiles 10 are slotted into the compartments 31 for charging and the charging/storage case 30 is powered (such as being plugged into a 120 volt wall outlet), the battery status of each tile can be indicated by pulsing the color of the lights of the tiles themselves. In this aspect, the light source comprises at least one multi-color LED chip configured to produce a plurality of LED colors. The tile controller board 18 detects a battery power level of the tile power source 20 and controls the multi-color LED chip(s) of the tile 10 to display a first color to indicate a low battery power level and controls the multi-color LED chip(s) of the tile 10 to display a second color to indicate a high battery power level. In an example, if the tile battery is low, the lights could pulse red. If the battery has a moderate charge, the lights could pulse yellow. If the battery is full or nearly full, the lights could pulse green.

In one aspect of the invention, the base 36 includes a color selection assembly 38 and a base microchip, microcontroller, programmable controller board, or other control board. The color selection assembly 38 includes a user-activatable button to change the color of connected tiles 10. A single button may be pressed multiple times to assign different colors. For example, the single button can be pressed once to assign a first color, can be pressed a second time to assign a second color, and can, with each additional press of the button, cause a cycling to the next color available. The base control board receives the signal from the button and outputs a signal through the base contacts 37 to the controller board 18 of the tile 10, which triggers the connected tiles 10 to light up with the assigned color. Preferably several colors are made available, such as green, blue, white, red, and purple. Optionally, multiple buttons could be used to assign different colors instead of one button.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. For example, some embodiments may include a microchip or other programmable controller board circuit in a tile 10 connected to the light source 19 and tile power source 20. The chip/controller may be programmable to manage certain lighting effects. For example, when configured for dominos, dominos that are face-up with the indicia showing may be lit while dominos that are face down may be turned off to save energy, such as by use of light sensor 25. Since the face-down dominos are not currently in play, there is no need to light them up.

In an aspect, the tiles are dominos, and the microchip/controller waits to light up a domino or may change the domino's light color when the domino is placed into contact with another domino played on the board, such as by use of communication modules 42. Thus, some aspects may yield an aspect where the system may be programmed to determine whether a domino played yields a legal play. For example, in most domino games, one end of a domino being played must match the end value of a domino already in play. If a player accidentally incorrectly plays a domino, the domino may go dark or illuminate a light color that indicates an improper play. Other domino games are based on yielding for example, multiples of fives among the nodes of domino lines. The system may be programmed to calculate whether the lighted nodes add up to a multiple of five (or some other number) and illuminate when a scoring opportunity has occurred. Programmed automatic illumination may eliminate games with accidental (or purposeful) cheating and may facilitate scoring for participants.

In embodiments using another tile type for a different game, the indicia may also be illuminated and controlled to provide programmed effects that are relevant to the game played. For example, the mahjong tiles may illuminate character indicia in addition to or instead of the lighted pips. The indicia may be lit up based on the board being programmed to recognize game play and provide a result based on how the tile was played. Other tile-based games may have the tiles programmed according to their own rules.

Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the illustrative embodiments described above and in the accompanying drawings. While the subject technology was described in the context of a domino gaming tile, it will be understood that other gaming tiles are contemplated within the scope described above. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming tile, comprising: a shell comprising a shell front, a shell bottom, a shell top, and two shell sides; said shell having an open back defined by rear edges of said shell bottom, of said shell top, and of said two shell sides; said shell further comprising at least one shell front light aperture disposed on said shell front and at least one shell bottom aperture disposed on said shell bottom; a rear cover removably attachable to said shell to close said shell open back; wherein said shell and said rear cover define a shell interior cavity; a tile power source disposed within said shell interior cavity; a controller board disposed within said shell interior cavity and connected to said tile power source; a light source disposed within said shell interior cavity and connected to said controller board; wherein, when said controller board provides power to said light source, light is produced that is visible through said at least one shell front light aperture; and at least one conductive charging node disposed within said at least one shell bottom aperture and connected to said tile power source.
 2. The gaming tile as recited in claim 1, wherein said light source comprises at least one multi-color LED chip configured to produce a plurality of LED colors; wherein said controller board assigns a first one of said plurality of LED colors to said at least one multi-color LED chip; and wherein said controller board reassigns a second one of said plurality of LED colors to said gaming tile.
 3. The gaming tile as recited in claim 1, further comprising a light leak-prevention seal disposed within said shell interior cavity.
 4. The gaming tile as recited in claim 3, wherein said light leak-prevention seal comprises a dark sheet of material disposed forward of said rear cover to minimize leaking of light at a junction of said rear cover and said shell open back.
 5. The gaming tile as recited in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic component disposed within a second one of said at least one shell bottom aperture.
 6. The gaming tile as recited in claim 5, wherein said magnetic component comprises a magnetic metal.
 7. The gaming tile as recited in claim 1, further comprising a centrally disposed groove extending laterally across a front surface of said shell front; and wherein said gaming tile is recognizable by a user as a domino.
 8. The gaming tile as recited in claim 1, further comprising a light sensor disposed on said shell front to sense when said gaming tile is positioned face down; wherein said controller board provides power to or withdraws power from said light source based on said sensing of said light sensor.
 9. The gaming tile as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one conductive charging node comprises a USB connector.
 10. The gaming tile as recited in claim 1, wherein said gaming tile further comprises two communication assemblies, each of which is disposed on an opposing side of said shell interior cavity.
 11. A gaming tile, comprising: a shell comprising a shell front, a shell bottom, a shell top, and two shell sides; said shell having an open back defined by rear edges of said shell bottom, of said shell top, and of said two shell sides; said shell further comprising at least one shell front light aperture disposed on said shell front and at least two shell bottom apertures disposed on said shell bottom; a rear cover removably attachable to said shell to close said shell open back; wherein said shell front, said shell bottom, said shell top, said shell sides, and said rear cover define a shell interior cavity; a battery disposed within said shell interior cavity; a controller board disposed within said shell interior cavity and connected to said battery; a light source disposed within said shell interior cavity and connected to said controller board; wherein, when said controller board provides power to said light source, light is produced that is visible through said at least one shell front light aperture; wherein said light source comprises at least one multi-color LED chip configured to produce a plurality of LED colors; wherein said controller board assigns a first one of said plurality of LED colors to said at least one multi-color LED chip; and wherein said controller board reassigns a second one of said plurality of LED colors to said gaming tile; a light leak-prevention seal disposed within said shell interior cavity that comprises a dark sheet of material disposed forward of said rear cover to minimize leaking of light at a junction of said rear cover and said shell open back; a magnetic component disposed within one of said at least two shell bottom apertures disposed on said shell bottom; and at least one conductive charging node disposed within said at least two shell bottom apertures and connected to said battery.
 12. The gaming tile as recited in claim 11, further comprising a centrally disposed groove extending laterally across a front surface of said shell front; and wherein said gaming tile is recognizable by a user as a domino.
 13. The gaming tile as recited in claim 11, further comprising a light sensor disposed on said shell front to sense when said gaming tile is positioned face down; wherein said controller board provides power to or withdraws power from said light source based on said sensing of said light sensor.
 14. The gaming tile as recited in claim 11, wherein said at least one conductive charging node comprises a USB connector.
 15. The gaming tile as recited in claim 11, wherein said gaming tile further comprises two communication modules, each of which is disposed on an opposing side of said shell interior cavity.
 16. An electronic gaming tile system, comprising: a plurality of electronic gaming tiles, each of said plurality of electronic gaming tiles comprising: a shell comprising a shell front, a shell bottom, a shell top, and two shell sides; said shell having an open back defined by rear edges of said shell bottom, of said shell top, and of said two shell sides; said shell further comprising at least one shell front light aperture disposed on said shell front and at least one shell bottom aperture disposed on said shell bottom; a rear cover removably attachable to said shell to close said shell open back; wherein said shell and said rear cover define a shell interior cavity; a battery disposed within said shell interior cavity; a tile controller board disposed within said shell interior cavity and connected to said battery; a light source disposed within said shell interior cavity and connected to said tile controller board; wherein, when said tile controller board provides power to said light source, light is produced that is visible through said at least one shell front light aperture; and at least one conductive tile charging node disposed within said at least one shell bottom apertures and connected to said battery. a charging case for charging said plurality of electronic gaming tiles comprising: a base; an upper frame that is removably attachable to said base to form a lid; a plurality of compartments disposed within said base; wherein each of said plurality of compartments is configured to receive one of said plurality of electronic gaming tiles; and wherein each of said plurality of compartments comprises at least one compartment contact that is functional to transfer power or power and data to said at least one conductive tile charging node; a charger power source; and an electrical bus system coupled to said charging power source and to each of said plurality of compartments.
 17. The electronic gaming tile system as recited in claim 16, wherein: each of said plurality of electronic gaming tiles comprises a tile magnetic component; said charging case comprises a corresponding case magnetic component; and when one of said plurality of electronic gaming tiles is seated in one of said plurality of compartments, said tile magnetic component and said case magnetic components are magnetically attracted to align said at least one conductive tile charging node with said at least one compartment contact.
 18. The electronic gaming tile system as recited in claim 16, wherein: said light source comprises at least one multi-color LED chip configured to produce a plurality of LED colors; said charging case further comprises a user-activatable color selection button that when pressed a first time sends a first color control signal through said at least one compartment contact and through said at least one conductive tile charging node to control said at least one multi-color LED chip to display a first color; and when said user-activatable color selection button is pressed a second time a second color control signal is sent through said at least one compartment contact and through said at least one conductive tile charging node to control said at least one multi-color LED chip to display a second color.
 19. The electronic gaming tile system as recited in claim 16, wherein said gaming tile is recognizable by a user as a domino.
 20. The electronic gaming tile system as recited in claim 16, wherein said light source comprises at least one multi-color LED chip configured to produce a plurality of LED colors; wherein, when one of said plurality of electronic gaming tiles is installed into one of said plurality of compartments, said tile controller board detects a battery power level of said battery and controls said at least one multi-color LED chip to display a first color to indicate a low battery power level and controls said at least one multi-color LED chip to display a second color to indicate a high battery power level. 